New hydraulic hoses

[Weaselfoot]

Kubota BX25LDB: After five years and only 180 hours, two of the lines from the tractor to the backhoe are leaking badly. One end of the hoses can be disconnected, the other unscrewed. I could buy the hoses rather than haul the tractor 200 miles for service. I've never worked on hydraulics. I am thinking reduce pressure to zero, remove/replace but how do you bleed the air. Also does the fluid flow out when the hoses are disconnected? Any help appreciated. I've done quick search with nil result. Direct me to info if possible.

 

[duffer]

Usually you can relieve all the pressure in the hydraulic system by turning off the tractor and moving the backhoe joy-sticks multiple directions. This should bleed the pressure and some fluid back into the reservoir.

You should not have to "bleed air" as a separate procedure. You will likely get a little fluid out of the end of the hose when you disconnect them, but nothing major.

 

[JWR]

I'm not sure of your resources there in southern Ontario but surely there are heavy equipment dealers, tractor dealers, service shops for skid-steers, etc. MUCH closer to you than 200 miles. My point is that many shops unrelated to your brand of tractor are very capable of replacing those hoses. There are probably multiple shops within a reasonable drive.

Huge factor is: Do you have a trailer and ability to haul the tractor to the shop?

I have had shops do hydraulic hose replacements/repairs right on the trailer without ever even offloading it into the shop. If you can make that kind of arrangement it will save a lot of $. Don't be afraid of 3rd party hoses. Kubota is not exactly known for their OEM hoses being that great in the first place. And MANY shops do very good quality hyd hose replacement. At least that is true in my rural area here in Southern MD, USA.

 

[jeff9366]

I could buy the hoses rather than haul the tractor 200 miles for service. I've never worked on hydraulics.

Google search: hydraulic service southern ontario canada

Usually the old metal fittings are used with new hoses. Often you can option for thicker hoses with the same internal diameter.

 

[Weaselfoot]

Usually you can relieve all the pressure in the hydraulic system by turning off the tractor and moving the backhoe joy-sticks multiple directions. This should bleed the pressure and some fluid back into the reservoir.

You should not have to "bleed air" as a separate procedure. You will likely get a little fluid out of the end of the hose when you disconnect them, but nothing major.

Thank you for taking the time to give me some basics. I know I should have read up on the hydraulics before she grumbled due to lack of fluid, but just operating and staying on four wheels has me rather puckered at times. I'm in Canadian Shield lake country so my property is no golf course.

 

[Weaselfoot]

Ah, just the sage advice I need. Yes, I do have a flatbed for the tractor so I'll load it up and take it to a nearby shop for repair. I'll call ahead to do the repair on the trailer.
Thank you, otherwise I would have been taking the tractor to the dealer ad nauseam. THX!

 

[Weaselfoot]

Google search: hydraulic service southern ontario canada

Usually the old metal fittings are used with new hoses. Often you can option for thicker hoses with the same internal diameter.

Thx. Very pertinent info; reuse the fittings and thicker, more durable hoses. After I noticed the leak, I watched the hoses as I swung the boom. Those hoses take a real beating and it is obvious that it would be worthwhile to pay extra for tougher hoses. Great advice, appreciated!

 

[diesel85]

Folks often think the hydraulics on a tractor are the same for hydraulic brakes on a car. They think if you pop off a line that you need to bleed the system by doing some kind of vacuum process, which is not true.

You just put the new hose on and cycle the hydraulics a few times and it takes care of any air in the lines. Most people over complicate this and spend more time trailering equipment for a $20 hose or fitting for a shop to do it for more labor. When all it takes is a new hose and two box wrenches and 5 minutes of time.

In crazy emergencies I've got plugs that I can plug cylinders and hoses and what not to be able to move a machine without it spraying fluid all over the place while a new hose is made or ordered.

For what it's worth, I've likely made a decent sum of cash on the side over the years from these little "can you stop by and replace this hose, it's leaking" deals... generally speaking, all need is my handful of box wrenches, and sometimes the adjustable wrench. People get scared working on this stuff for some strange reason... dunno why.

 

[JWR]

[replied to Jeff and said ...]Thx. Very pertinent info; reuse the fittings and thicker, more durable hoses. After I noticed the leak, I watched the hoses as I swung the boom. Those hoses take a real beating and it is obvious that it would be worthwhile to pay extra for tougher hoses. Great advice, appreciated!

Jeff said: "Usually the old metal fittings are used with new hoses." Great advice !? Not hardly.

That might be true in the rare case where the "metal fittings" can be simply screwed apart or together but 99% of the time crimped ends on hoses are involved and essentially they are NEVER reused !! Most of the time they can't be reused even if one were silly enough to try. The most false kind of economy to try. I have never ever seen a shop willing to screw with the old, almost certainly questionable if not outright damaged, connectors !! That is bum info.

You, the OP, were not clear that the leak is in the two hoses themselves or only at the connectors. Obviously you need to check first to see if something threaded just needs tightening. If the hoses ARE leaking through the walls of the hose or at the swaged /crimped spot with the hose end then you need to replace the entire hose and connectors as a unit. You mentioned that the hoses take a real beating -- so after 5 years replace them! And heavier duty has to be a good idea.

I am confident your hoses have permanently attached (swaged , crimped) connectors on each end and you want to have the entire leaky hose or hoses replaced lock, stock and barrel. What you want is a long-term permanent fix. And good to put on heavier duty hoses while you are at it.

 

[jeff9366]

My experience differs. I have had four or five Loader hydraulic hoses replaced and the metal fittings were reused each time.

Perhaps my Kubota L3560 hydraulic hoses are not the crimp on type.